Shruikan's Rider (Inheritance Cycle UA* Fanfiction)

Ch. 5 Emotions

Apologies for the wait. been flat out with assignments and work over the the holidays, and messed up my wrist last week, so I've been slowly recovering. Not much this week but I will have a bigger/more exciting one soon (hopefully). also it's been really nice to get a new wave of readers and commenters. So welcome all of you 😊🐉💖

~~~~~~

Alys looked among the lead faces and strode forwards with a false sense of confidence. Nasuada stepped towards her, giving Alys a trusting but questioning look. The Dragon Riders stared past her, and Shruikan gave them a good reason to be fearful. His tail lashed through the air, and he lifted his lip in a threatening snarl to ensure they gave him enough space.

Shruikan let out a growl, spotting familiar faces and dragons. Alys put her hand on his snout behind her. "Easy, Shruikan." He fell silent, but she could still see his tail lashing.

Alys glanced at Nasuada. she called her over with a silent gesture of her hand. Alys begrudgingly stepped away from Shruikan and looked at Eragon. "Can you get them to stand down?" She gestured to the other Riders.

"Explain yourself first! Who is this dragon?" He gestured frantically to Shruikan. "And why did you bring it her?!"

She frowned. "You gave me a mission! You sent me to the Eldunarya, and they sent me to him." She pointed at Shruikan. "And right now, he's the only one willing to help me get to Ugauc in time!" She felt Nasuada touch her shoulder, and she gave her a soft look. She forced herself to draw in a breath and calm down. "I'm only here for my things. Then I'll be gone. I bring no threat," she said firmly.

"Gone where?" This time, it was Murtagh who spoke.

Alys looked at him. "Ellesméra." The dragons erupted in a synchronised growl, and she snapped her head around to see what was wrong. Shruikan stepped closer to her, ignoring their sounds of protest. She gently extended an outstretched hand to tell him to 'stay'.

"You can't go alone," Eragon interjected. Alys scowled and looked at him. She thought he glanced down as he came up with an excuse. "Not without a saddle. And we don't have one big enough for... him." He looked at Shruikan.

Alys wondered whether he knew that was Shruikan—or if any of them knew. He glanced at Saphira a lot, communicating with her—she presumed. Alys sighed softly. "Fine. Someone will just have to come along." She felt Shruikan stare at Eragon from behind her.

The leaders looked at each other, and Alys waited impatiently. The three Dragon Riders glanced between themselves, and Alys tried to soften her posture for Nasuada. She needed her cousin on her side.

Her cousin got closer to her, leaving the Riders to their silent discussion. "You earned his trust." She smiled and looked at Shruikan.

Alys nodded and followed her gaze. "There was effort on both parts."

"I knew your compassion would guide you." Nasuada took Alys' hand. "But you need to think, properly think. Take some deep breaths."

Alys tightened her jaw. "Have you not heard a single thing I said?" she hissed and pulled her hand away. "My dragon is dying. I can't wait any longer. The time for thinking is gone. I have to be there for him. I thought you, of all people, would be on my side." She looked away.

Nasuada looked hurt but forced it down. "All I'm asking is that you take a moment to think before running off with the dragon that had a huge role in the War and damaged a chunk of Du Weldenvarden. You're allowed to be hurt and grieving, but you can't act rash or the whole world may turn against you."

Alys glanced at her. "It seems like the whole world already has. So what's the harm of ensuring it?" She heard a soft, sad rumble from Shruikan, but her mind was too closed off to allow him to speak to her.

Her cousin stared at her for a moment. "What's happened to you, Alys? This isn't you."

She scowled, a hole growing in her chest as rage and sorrow filled her. "You want to know what happened? My dragon has been suffering for weeks! The people taking care of him won't let me near him! Every night I hear and feel him suffer and only now has anyone been willing to help me get to him!" It wasn't until she fell silent she realised how loud it had come out, that everyone in the courtyard, and probably the castle, had heard her. All eyes were on her, dragon, elf, and human. It was also then that she felt the warm tears trickling down her cheeks, and she turned away from Nasuada, hiding it. "Part of me is dying." Her voice was hoarse and quiet, but firm. "My literal soulmate is dying, and I won't hide it and pretend anymore. He won't suffer anymore; I just need to get to him. Or I'll go insane."

Alys felt some sympathetic tendrils graze her mind, and she locked herself away. "So, is anyone willing to help me?" Her words came out rather bitterly, but she wouldn't apologise for it.

"Yes." Eragon said in a low voice. "We'll accompany you to Ellesméra."

Alys nodded. She hadn't depended on their support but figured getting an agreement was better and looked at Shruikan. "I'll be back soon." She strode past the leaders, dragons, Riders and soldiers, quickly passing through the large doors of the keep and up the helix stairs. She packed her bags, taking all her notebooks and some of Galbatorix's, in case she'd missed something—or needed to distract herself and hide in her not-so-little project.

I think you handled it very well. Shruikan said when she returned to his side.

"Hmm. I don't know," she said softly, calmer but not hurting any less. Alys glanced around at the courtyard. Most of the Riders and their dragons remained, but lingered by the walls, while the rest glided above and around the castle. She noticed how Shruikan watched them, curious and in awe from what she could make.

It's good to release your emotions. He hummed.

Alys shook her head. "Yes but, it was so... loud. I didn't know I had that in me. I should've said it better. Handled it better. I don't know what happened." She gently caressed his face. "Maybe the pressure got to me. And the hurt and rage and frustration and it came out like... that." She sighed, exasperated.

Shruikan pressed his head against her hand. It's better to let it out. That's what you told me. They needed to know. And if they weren't going to help, I'd deal with them. He bared his fangs in false intimidation.

Dragons and Riders looked at them warily, lowering their stance and reaching for weapons.

Alys sighed. "Please try to tone down on the intimidation. I know you mean well, but they don't yet. So please—" she held his muzzle in both hands, "—try to be as friendly as you can. You're a good dragon, Shruikan, and I trust you. The others just don't know you yet."

Shruikan inclined his head and hummed again. I'll try for you, Alys.